The star, who celebrated her 40th birthday last month, has widespread appeal thanks to her ten-year career as hapless, but sexy New Yorker Rachel Green in the Warner Bros sitcom, Friends. Her stylish and understated off-screen persona mean that the actress has legions of fans, making a signature scent a potentially lucrative move.

Aniston's representatives have neither denied nor confirmed the rumour, but it has certainly generated excitement. Jennifer is never far from the front pages of the celebrity press, not only for her acting career and fashion choices, but also her relationship with ex-husband Brad Pitt and his new partner Angelina Jolie. This kind of cachet is invaluable in terms of boosting sales of associated products. Other stars that have successfully cashed in on their 'brand' status are David and Victoria Beckham and Mariah Carey.

Although she will be the first Friends star to launch her own fragrance it will not be the show's first connection with the world of scent - Joey Tribbiani, the character portrayed by actor Matt Le Blanc, was once an Aramis model at Macy's and Rachel Green herself worked for fashion and fragrance icon Ralph Lauren!